A leading Conservative Party activist has defected to Worthing borough council's ruling Liberal Democrats.

Mark O'Keeffe, a former Tory executive councillor for housing and planning, is being lined up to stand for a seat in Salvington ward against Tory party leader Brian Lynn in next year's elections.

Mr O'Keeffe lost his seat in last May's council elections.

He said: "I firmly believe the Lib Dems are committed to improving life for residents locally and nationally and are already making inroads in Worthing by focusing on two key issues that really matter, the cleanliness of the town and the safety of its residents.

"I can no longer work with a party that has become so split nationally. And still the leaders do not learn.

"This behaviour clearly filters downwards as locally the Conservatives have completely lost their way."

He said he was unhappy about plans to build an Asda supermarket on Worthing College land and claimed Tory colleagues excluded him from discussions.

Councillor Lynn said: "I do not agree with Mark's comments on the Tory party. That's nonsense.

"I can only say I'm disappointed he has decided to change sides but it does happen in politics. There have been a number of defections in both directions.

"We certainly have a number of ex-Lib Dem councillors actively working for us. Mark took his defeat at the last election very badly.

"Maybe he thought he did not work hard enough, I don't know, but he never discussed the concerns he had."

He denied Mr O'Keeffe's claims there had been behind-the-scenes talks with Asda.

Welcoming Mark to the Lib Dems, council leader Sheila Player said: "We are extremely pleased Mark has joined us. He was a well-respected executive member and a hard worker."